Anonymous
Favorite Answer
We'll probably know by 11pm ET tomorrow night.
Franklin
Usually, by late evening or early the next day, it is clear who won - but it could take much longer as it did in 2000. 48 out of the 50 states cast their Electoral Votes on an all or nothing basis - So in 2000, when it was finally determined that George W. Bush had won Florida by about 500 votes, he was awarded all of that state's Electoral Votes.
A problem like we had in Florida in 2000, is more likely to happen again under the current Electoral vote system, than it would be if the President was elected by a National Popular Vote - because there will always be at least one state where the election was very close even if the winner of the national popular vote is clear.
rmm
If you want to get real technical, not until Jan 6 when the electoral college results are in:
January 6, 2009
Counting Electoral Votes in Congress
The Congress meets in joint session to count the electoral votes (Congress may pass a law to change the date). The President of the Senate is the presiding officer. If a Senator and a House member jointly submit an objection, each House would retire to its chamber to consider it. The President and Vice President must achieve a majority of electoral votes (270) to be elected. In the absence of a majority, the House selects the President, and the Senate selects the Vice President. If a State submits conflicting sets of electoral votes to Congress, the two Houses acting concurrently may accept or reject the votes. If they do not concur, the votes of the electors certified by the Governor of the State would be counted in Congress.
dingding
It could be before California even closes it's polls at 11pm PST. Or after that, or the next morning, or in the case of the 2000 election, the following month. Let's hope we don't have a repeat of that nightmare.
JVHawai'i
The NEWS blatherers will generally spill the word both who won and in the case of elections such as the 2000 election who won and who actually got the door prize. Results should be in by 8PM Eastern American Time..
Peace/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\